Grand Island school board votes to close Seedling Mile

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. -- After much deliberation, Grand Island Public Schools is saying goodbye to one of its elementary schools beginning next school year.

The GIPS Board of Education voting to close Seedling Mile, a school built in 1888, and not operate it for the 2025-26 school year.

“This has been an incredibly hard decision for board members, as well as the district leadership, to make.” Matt Fisher, GIPS Superintendent, said. “There is a keen understanding of the connections that people have with the Seedling Mile school.  Unfortunately, current staffing and financial considerations make this difficult decision a necessity.”

There were several reasons for it, including only having one grade per class, the cost per student has considerably higher than other schools throughout the district, and the number of teachers commuting for specific classes like P.E. or Music could be better utilized.

In a release sent out by the district, they laid out some of those financial discrepancies.

Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) Cost Per Pupil:

- Nebraska Per Pupil Cost average:  $15,082 (per 2023 NDE dashboard)

GIPS Cost Per Pupil:

- GIPS District:  $15,027 (per 2023 NDE dashboard)
- Seedling Mile:  $17,753 (per 2023 NDE dashboard w/ Kindergarten)

Projected Cost Per Pupil: 

- Seedling Mile:  $22,680 (projected for FY 24-25 actual grades offered)
- Seedling Mile:  $21,288 (projected for FY 24-25 as if Kindergarten)
- Seedling Mile:  $28,253 (projected for FY 25-26) 

Anyone seeking more answers as to why the board went forward with this decision can click here.